Dick to say Ta-ta to ’Tootsie’ at Shannons Spring sale
• Iconic 2CV from famous ownership
• One of many fascinating classics to be auctioned
As he accelerates towards a new high-speed V8 Supercar partnership with American racing legend Roger Penske, Australian touring car icon Dick Johnson is reluctantly leaving the slowest car in his family garage behind: his wife Julianne’s beloved 1984 Citroen 2CV6 ‘Charleston’ nicknamed ‘Tootsie’.
The quirky maroon and black flop-top 2CV will be one of the most sought-after vehicles at Shannons upcoming Late Spring Classic Auction in Sydney on November 17, where it is expected to sell in the $14,000- $18,000 range.
The highest price previously paid for a 2CV Charleston at an Australian auction was $40,000 for a very low mileage 1985 model at Shannons 2010 Sydney Autumn Classic sale.
The Johnsons’ 2CV already had a famous past when they acquired her nearly seven years ago. It originally belonged to actress Trudie Goodwin – who plays Sergeant June Ackland in the popular UK television series, The Bill – and was previously her mother’s car.
“Julianne always loved 2CVs, so when we saw this one for sale we had to have her,” said Johnson, who said he had thoroughly enjoyed the 1,500 miles he has spent behind Tootsie’s large steering wheel.
“They say ‘happy wife, happy life”, but I’ve also become very fond of Tootsie too. It will be like saying goodbye to a member of the family, but since we’ve downsized to a unit we have run out of car spaces.
“With its loping, long-travel suspension it’s about as far away from a V8 Supercar as you can get, but as it was designed to cope with French cobblestones it is perfectly at home on Queensland roads!
The Johnsons’ 2CV is one of a number of fascinating classic cars and motorcycles in Shannons November 17 Sydney Late Spring Auction.
Those include an increasingly collectible Australian-delivered and low kilometre 1989 Porsche 911 wide-body Speedster ($80,000-$90,000), a beautifully presented 1954 Austin-Healey BN1 roadster with a four-speed gearbox ($50,000-$55,000), a very rare 4WD Holden Sandman panel van ($34,000-$38,000), a rare, mechanically good 1950 Austin A90 Atlantic two-door saloon in need of new paint ($20,000-$25,000) and a 1972 MGB Mk II roadster that has around $50,000 spent on its exhaustive restoration ($20,000-plus).
There are also 13 classic motorcycles and scooters in the auction from the US, the UK and Italy – six of them offered with ‘no reserve’.
